Glenn Hoddle has expressed understanding towards Tottenham Hotspur’s fanbase as their frustration with chairman Daniel Levy intensifies during a challenging season for the club. Currently placed 12th in the Premier League, Spurs have experienced multiple setbacks, leading to growing dissatisfaction among supporters. Despite enjoying a brief recovery with three consecutive league victories, the overall mood remains unsettled, especially after the team was eliminated from both domestic cup competitions and found themselves out of contention for Champions League qualification.
Prior to their recent match against Manchester United, a notable protest occurred, with at least 2,000 fans marching to the stadium expressing their discontent with the board and calling for change. Protests were marked by vocal chants aimed predominantly at Levy, highlighting a sentiment of unrest among the loyal fanbase.
Glenn Hoddle, a former Spurs manager and current pundit for TNT Sports, shared his insights on the situation during an interview with Mail Sport. He acknowledged, "Now I can understand that there are some people that are frustrated and they're turning their anger on it." Hoddle, who was notably sacked by Levy in 2003, commended the chairman’s accomplishments, particularly in developing the club’s infrastructure, mentioning, "Daniel's done a fantastic job with the stadium. He's built a fantastic training ground that any player in the world would love that environment to go and train and play in the stadium."
However, he urged that the financial resources generated by the new stadium should be prioritised for squad enhancement rather than infrastructure alone, stating, "Are we going to build a squad that that stadium actually deserves? Squad first, build a stadium afterward, but it's the other way around now." Hoddle further emphasized the need for investment in talent to restore Tottenham’s competitiveness and bring glory back to the club.
This season has been particularly brutal for Spurs, marred by injuries and poor form, with 13 defeats in the Premier League. Although new signings such as Mathys Tel on loan from Bayern Munich have added some optimism, many supporters feel the squad still lacks the depth needed to compete effectively.
Hoddle suggested that the success of any football team significantly impacts the atmosphere within a stadium, reflecting on how the newly built venue could foster a more vibrant experience for fans if the team was performing well. He pointed out, "If you have had success there, the stadium would be a wonderful place for fans to go and watch." He believes that with the right player investments, coupled with the infrastructure Levy has developed, Spurs could build a competitive team capable of pursuing trophies over the next several years.
Looking ahead, Tottenham's next challenge comes on Wednesday against Manchester City, a team against which they have previously found success, including a remarkable 4-0 victory earlier in the season. Hoddle noted that Spurs tend to perform well against City due to their possession-based style of play, allowing Tottenham to defend compactly and exploit counter-attacking opportunities.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming fixture, many Tottenham supporters remain eager for a turnaround in fortunes following the club’s recent upturn in form, hoping for a rejuvenated challenge as the season progresses.
Source: Noah Wire Services